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What happens if the hydrofoil hits a large dolphin, shark, whale or other large sea creature? Sea animals collide with motor boats occasionally but this Seagli
by jongjong 3y ago
What happens if the hydrofoil hits a large dolphin, shark, whale or other large sea creature?
Sea animals collide with motor boats occasionally but this Seaglider would be even more likely to do so because:
- It doesn't produce as much underwater noise as a motor which would normally serve to alarm sea animals.
- It goes a lot faster, giving sea animals less time to react.
Then there is the concern about what a collision would cause to the Seaglider itself if the hydrofoil broke off or worse, didn't break off and caused the Seaglider to plunge, nose first, into the ocean.
The other thing to be concerned about are sub-surface rocks. If a boat goes over a rock that's hidden just below the surface, it can badly damage the boat and motor and can cause death, but again, the faster you go, the more damage can be done.
- jouleshey 3y agoThat’s my concern too. A whale at high speeds can’t be safe
- gilbertbw 3y agoIt's only hydro-foiling on take-off and landing, in flight it's a plane in ground effect flying just above the sea.
- jongjong 3y agoTell that to the dolphins which swim along the shore line where the take offs and landings will be occurring.
- gilbertbw 3y agoMy point is that the lower risk for the majority of the journey will offset (partially or fully I do not know) the increased risk on take-off and landing. I would guess that the overall risk will end up lower for a WIG craft than a traditional high speed foiling vessel. Also rocks are only a concern in a small area of ocean around the takeoff and landing areas, which will presumably be fairly well surveyed.